Sickle bar attachment



May 23, 1950 C. VAN AUSDALL SICKLE BAR ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 17, 1948 May 23, 1950 c. VAN AUsDALL sIcKLE BAR ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1948 A INVENToR. V CARL VAN/405mm Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE SICKLE BAR ATTACHMENT Carl Van Ausdall, Liberty, Ind.

Application July 17, 1948, Serial No. 39,281

3 Claims. (Cl. Sii-26.5)

This invention relates to a sickle bar attachment for garden tractors and the like and more particularly relates to a mounting for a sickle bar attachment.

An object of this invention is to provide a mounting for attaching a sickle bar attachment to a garden tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a light weight, adjustable mounting for a sickle bar attachment. Y

A further object of this invention is to provide a sickle bar attachment which can readily be removed from a garden tractor to adapt the tractor for use with other tools.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shaker device for use with a mounting for a sickle bar attachment which can separate grass, weeds, and other cuttings from a sickle bar to clear a path for the garden tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a demountable sickle bar attachment which can be driven by a motor which drives the tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a belt driven sickle bar attachment having a simple and convenient means for adjusting tension of the belt drive.

The above and other objects may be attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sickle bar attachment constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view oi a garden tractor to which the sickle bar attachment illustrated in Figure 1 `may be attached, the tractor being shown with motor removed.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the attachment shown in Figure 1, the attachment being shown in position and attached to a garden tractor, the tractor being shown schematically in dot-dash lines.

Figure 4 is a sectional view along a line 4-4 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view along a line 5--5 in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectionalview along a line 6-6 in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view along a line 1-1 in Figure 3, the view being in section.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the sickle bar attachment includes a pair of transverse bars I0 and I2. The bars I0 and I2 may be removably attached to a motor mounting plate I3, which 2 I4 is attached to the transverse bars III and I2 and links the bars to a sickle bar, indicated generally at I6. A gear housing I1 is slidable lengthwise of the bars II) and I2. A pulley I8 projects from the transmission or gear housing I1. The pulley I8 may have its axis parallel to the direction of advance of the tractor and receives power from a motor I9, which also may drive the tractor. A belt 2 I, driven by a power take-oil I2I on the motor I9, rotates the pulley I8. A fuel tank 20 supplies the motor I9. Tension in the belt 2I may be adjusted by moving the gear housing I1 along the bars I0 and I2. A wheel 22 at the lower end of the gear housing Il Vis rotated by gearing (not shown) inside the gear housing Il when the pulley I8 is turned. The wheel 22 actuates a pitman 23. The pitman 23, in turn, oscillates a rocker bar 24 that reciprocates the sickle bar I6. A shaker bar 26, which swings back and forth with the bar 24, can act to clear the path of the tractor and direct grass, weeds, and other cuttings from the Vsickle bar to either side of a guide 2l. The guide 2l extends upwardly from the main frame I4 and outwardly on opposite sides of the shaker bar 26 to separate the cuttings on either side of the tractor.

The device described generally above will now be described in greater detail.

The bars I0 and I2 and a pair of outwardly extending lips 28 on the main frame I4 may be welded or otherwise rmly joined together. Bores 29 (Figure 1) through the bars I0 and I2 and through the lips 28 can receive bolts 3I (Figure 5) for attaching the sickle bar I6 to the motor mounting plate I3. The bolts 3| pass through bores 32 (Figure 2) in the motor mounting plate I3 and are held in place by nuts 33 (Figure 5). As shown in Figure 2, the motor mounting plate I3 may be equipped with downwardly extending lips 34 at either side of the plate I3, and semi-circular portions 36 of the lips 34 may be cut away to fit over the bars I0 andl I2.

The motor mounting plate I3 is equipped with .slots 31 upon which the motor I9, shown in dotdash lines in Figure 3, may be mounted. The motor can drive a pulley 38 by means of a belt (not shown) and the pulley 38 can actuate a driving wheel 4I (Figure 2) by means of a transmission inside a casing 42. Handles 43 and 44 serve to guide the tractor. A control lever 46 and linkage 4l can control a clutch inside the casing 42 for starting and stopping the wheel 4I.

The pulley I8 drives a vertical shaft 48 (Figforms a part of a garden tractor. lA main frame ures 6 and 7) by means of gearing of a conventional type (not shown) inside the gear housing I'I. The gearing may be in the form of a pair of meshing bevel gears, one on the shaft 48 and the other driven by the pulley I8. The Wheel 22 is attached to the lower end of the shaft 48 and rotates therewith. The shaft 48 rotates inside a Vertical bore 49 in the gear housing I?. The gear housing I 'I is additionally provided with horizontal bores 5l and 52 on opposite sides of and spaced from .the vertical bore 49. The horizontal bores 5I and 52 slidably receive the bars I and I2. Set screws 53, threaded in the gear I4. Opposite ends of the transverse brace 19 may be Welded or otherwise firmly attached to the main frame. The bar 24 swings about the pivot bolt 18 inside the main frame I4.

As shown in Figure l, the main frame I4 is substantially U-shaped. The main frame I4 includes a horizontal bottom wall 82 and upwardly extending side walls 83. The lips 28, to which theftransverse bars I0. and I2 are-attached, are

v formed from outwardly turned upper edges of housing I'I, can intersect the bores 5| and A52 for holding the bars I and I2 in housing,

Tension in the belt 2I is adjusted byY moving place in the kgear the gear housing I'I along the bars lil and I2. An adjustment screw 54 is threaded in the gear,

housing Il' parallel to and spaced from the bores I and 52. The adjustment screw 54 can bear on one of the'lips134, as shown in Figure 7. The adjustment screw 54 serves to move the gear housing along the bars VIll and vI2 for tightening thebelt 2 I. A lock nut 56 can hold the adjustment `screw 54 lin position. The adjustment screw 54, as shown in `Figures 3 and` '7, maybe of a socket head type, and the gear housing may contain a well 5T f or receiving the head of the screw 54. The gear housing I1 may be cast and maybe machined inthe usuaimanner to receive the vertical shaft 48,`horizonta1 bars I and I2, adjustment screw54, and appropriate gearing (not shown). A cap 58 at the upper end of the gear housing Il affords access to 'the interior ofthe gear housing. vThe ca p 58 is 'held in place vby appropriate screws 59. As shown in Figure 3, the gear housing I'I 'is formed as a single piece and includes a central portion 6I, a horizontal arm 62 Yforcarrying the pulley 18, and a vertical arm 6 3 for receiving the shaft 48. A portion of the arm 6 3 is enlarged to include outwardly extending projectionsi for receiving 'the bars 4Ill and I2, the `set screws 53, and the adjusting screw 54. The lower end of the vertical arm 3is enlarged, as indicated at '65, 4for supporting the wheel 22. A vertical rib 56 on the outer side of the vertical Varm ,6 3 affords protection Vthereof aga'inst sidewiseblows.

As is shown inFigures 1, 3, and 6,'the wheel 22 Vis linked to the pitman 23 by al stud or crank pin 6i. The stud 5l projects downwardly from a lower side 68 of the wheel 22. The 'stud 61 is spaced from the axis of the wheel, andthe pit` man V23 is actuated in the usual manner when the wheel 22 is rotated. A ring rbearing B9 at one end of the pitman nts about the stud 6'?. The other end of the pitman 23 carries a clevis il for linking the pitman^23 to the main operating bar 24. The clevis 'II includes 'a bolt'2 which lits through a vertical bore i3 near an end of the bar 24. The bolt'lZ is held by upper and lower jaws 14 and 16 respectively of theclevis 'I I (Figure 5). As indicated in Figure 1,the clevis 'II is'attached to v.the pitman 123 'by an internally threaded sleeve "I1, which is threaded on` the pitman 23. The distance between the ring "bearing 59 and the clevis 1I may be varied by turning the clevis 'I and sleeve TI about the axis of the pitman '23 to vary the effective -length of the pitman.

The bar 24 swings about a pivot bolt "I8, The pivot bolt T8 passes through a transverse brace IS and a bearing 80. The bearing 80 is located near the center of the bar `24. `The 'threaded end Vof the bolt 18 isattached to the main frame the walls 33. The walls 83, as shown in Figure 5,

rifniay slope forwardly toward the sickle bar I6. ,Near the center' of the bottom wall 82, a built up -portion V84 is located which serves to receive the lthreaded end of the pivot bolt 'I8 and also acts as a, bearing for supporting the bar 24 in `spaced erelationabove the bottom wall 82 of the main frame. The transverse brace I9 runs between the walls 83 and r-is spaced above the bottom Wall 82. The transverse brace may be formed from an angle and may be firmly attached to Athe side walls 83, asbyWe-lding.

VThe bottom wall'SZ ofthe mainframe is attached at its forward edge to a strengthening plate '.88 by' welding or other strong, durable means. As shown in Figure L'the plate Bit-may be bolted to a .main cross 'member 8l of the sickle 'bar I5 `byboltsv 88. Forward ends vof the side walls '83 4may 'be cut away to 'lit over the cross member 81, as shown in Figure A5.

The general yconstruction 'of the sickle bar I6 inay be .substantially similar tothe construction of Vsiclrle'bars 'in use. `lThe sickle bar includes a series ofstationary cutters 89 mounted atintervals along fthe cross member 8i. vspaced teeth 9 I are reciprocable insidethe cutters 89, and the teeth-9i and Ycutterslfeooperateto `give a cutting action inthe usual manner; :Each of the teeth 9| may be attached to ,a reciprocating bar'92, as by rivets '93. A series Aof ghold down plates 94 prevent the reciprocating bar 92 andvteeth 9| from coming free `from the cuttersv 89. Each of th@ hold downplatesgfihasa forwardly extending iingerz which extends above the teeth 9|, and

the ngers V9.5 Yarearched Yto clear the rivets 93,

The plates `Q4 and certainjof the `cutters S9 may beheld in .place upon 'the Y cross member '87 `by bolts 95, while 'the remainder ofthe cutters 89 are 'held' in 'place' by v'screws 18T;

At .either end of the 'cross *member u8"! are mounted Uesh'aped guides 98, Each guide may be made from a' piece `of rod stock Vbent tothe shape shownand includes a lower horizontal member 89 `for resting on the ground to determine thelieight'ocut to'be'ima'de. As shown in Figure 1,"the horizontalmem'beriBB may be 'flattened .to slide over 'the ground, and a rear Yend thereof may be turned upwardly as indicated at IEE). A forward endo'f theguide 98 may be turned upwardly, vas indicated at NH, and then rearwardly to'form an upper horizontalinember 102. The upper and lower .horizontal "members 99 and I52are`linkedby'a vertical'plate ID3. The plate lisequipped with vertically spaced pairs of openings H34. An angle iron H is attachedby screws to an end o f Ythe cross member 8l. The plate 153 is attached to the angle iron `Iii by screws E88 which pass throughoneof the pairs of openings |434 'into-the angle iron Idd. As will be understood,"the guide idc, which 'has been described, is'duplicated at r'oripfosite/ends of ythe sickle bar 1'6. Theiheightof the-cut d to-be made bythe sickle-bar may be varied by ASuitable choice of pairsjnropeningsgiac.

* 4'The reciprocating im Yer -i--1inked to the par' 24 by means' of a linkage shown most clearly in Figures 4 and 5. The free end of the bar 24 is provided v.witha substantially cylindrical bearing |09. The bearing |09 may be rotatablyreceived in an Vopening inabracket'l I0. The bracket IIO in turnisatiachedto the reciprocating .bar 92 by bolts-||2 ,(Fjigure 4)" which are threaded in thegreciprocatingmbanm The central partof the bracketl luis built up, as -indicated at ||3, to receive the bearing |09. As the bar 24 oscillates, the bearing |09 can rotate inside the opening in the bracket I I0, and the reciprocating bar 92 is moved back and forth to provide a cutting action.

The shaker bar 26 is attached to and extends upwardly from the cylindrical bearing |09 and from the part of the bar 24 adjacent the bearing |09. The shaker bar 26 acts to separate cuttings from the sickle bar I6 into two portions so that the portions may be left on either side of the tractor. The guide 21 is mounted immediately behind the shaker bar 26 for further guiding the portions of cuttings away from the bar 24 and from the tractor. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the guide 21 is attached to the main frame I4 by bolts II4. The guide 21, as shown in Figure 1, may have a forward portion I I6 which is curved so that the shaker bar 26 follows substantially the curvature of the forward portion IIB. The shaker bar 26 may be plate-like in character and extends substantially radially of the forward portion I6 so that the shaker bar sweeps the forward portion ||6. The guide 21 extends rearwardly from the portion IIS to form opposite sides ||1. The main frame and the guide, in combination, protect the operating mechanism and form a housing about the pivot bolt 18, bearing 80, and clevis 1| to protect the bearing and clevis from cuttings.

The operation of the sickle bar attachment will be clear from the foregoing detailed description and from the drawings. The transverse bars I and I2 are attached to the motor mount I3 by the bolts 3| when the sickle bar attachment is to be used. The belt 2| is placed about the pulley I8 and the power take off |2| of the motor I9. The tension in the belt may be adjusted, if necessary, by releasing the set screws 53 and then turning the adjustment screw 54 a sufficient amount to provide proper belt tension. Then the lock nut 56 and the set screws 53 may be tightened to hold the transmission or gear housing I1 in place upon the transverse bars I0 and I2. If necessary, the sleeve 1| is rotated about the axis of the pitman 23 to adjust the effective length of the pitman 23 for proper centering of the teeth 9| with respect to the cutters 89. Finally, the height 4of the cut may be adjusted by removing the screws |08 and replacing them through appropriate openings |04 for setting the cutters 89 and reciprocating teeth 9| at a proper height. Then the attachment is ready for use.

When the pulley I8 is rotated, the pitman 23 swings the bar 24 about the pivot bolt 18 to move the teeth 9| back and forth inside the cutters 89. At the same time, the shaker bar 26 swings back and forth to separate the cuttings into two portions. The cuttings pass on either side of the guide 21 and do not reach the pivot bolt 18 and clevis 1|. When desired, the sickle bar attachment may readily be detached from the motor mount I3 by removing the bolts 3| and disconnecting the belt 2|. Then the tractor may be used for operating other attachments.

The sickle bar attachment of this invention is readily' lmountable and -removable''without the need forV special tools. It is readily adjustable to provide proper tension in the driving belt. f The shaker bar 26 and guide 21 maintain a clear path before the motor-mount and protect the-pivot bolt 18 and clevis 1| from clippings;

The parts of the attachment may bemade of cast,"forged, or stamped parts of any appropriate material. Many variations in details of construction will be' apparent, Yand the invention is not intended to, b e limited by the foregoing detailed description and the drawings except set out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. .A sickle bar attachment for a garden tractor having a power take-olf for driving a belt, said attachment comprising a frame, a pair of spaced substantially parallel bars attached to the rear of said frame, means for attaching said bars to the forward end of the tractor transversely of the tractor, a sickle bar attached to the forward end of said frame, said sickle bar having a reciprocating sickle thereon, ar transmission housing slidably mounted on said bars, a pulley rotatably mounted on said housing and adapted to be driven by means of a belt running on the pulley and on the power take-off, means for adjustably positioning said housing on said bars for adjusting tension in said belt, a crank mounted on the underside of said housing and coupled to said pulley to be driven thereby, a rocker bar pivotally mounted medially of its ends upon the frame and extending substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of said sickle and having one end thereof operatively connected to said sickle, a pitman operatively connected at one end to said crank and at the other to said rocker bar, whereby when the pulley is turned, the rocker bar is oscilated by the pitman and reciprocates the sickle, and means for adjusting the length of the pitman.

2. A sickle bar attachment in accordance with claim 1 characterized -by the fact that an adjustment screw is provided that extends through the housing parallel to the parallel bars and bears on the framework of the tractor to hold ilghe housing in adjusted position upon the parallel ars.

3. A sickle bar attachment for a tractor comprising a frame having a bottom plate and an upwardly extending frame member at each side of and secured to said plate, said plate having at its forward end a sickle bar and sickle, a pair of spaced parallel bars extending across the rear portion of said frame and spaced upwardly from the bottom plate thereof, said bars being secured to the side frame members and adapted to be secured to a tractor frame, said bars having end portions overhanging one of said side frame members, a rocker bar pivotally mounted on said plate at a point between the forward and rear ends thereof, means connecting the forward end of said rocker |bar to the sickle whereby the sickle is reciprocated as the rocker bar is oscillated, a transmission havng a housing provided with bores spaced to receive the overhanging end portions of said parallel bars whereby the transmission is slidable thereon towards or away from said frame, said transmission having a vertical shaft therein provided with l a crank at its lower end at a location below said parallel bars, a horizontal shaft in the upper portion of said housing and at right angles to said parallel bars, said horizontal and vertical shafts being drivingly coupled, a pulley on said horizontal shaft adapted for belt connection to a. 

